Longview City Councilmember Tom Hutchinson recently received a Certificate of Municipal Leadership (CML) from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). Hutchinson completed over 30 hours of training credits to earn this distinction.

The CML program is designed to enhance the ability of elected municipal officials by providing knowledge and skills to effectively operate within the law, plan for the future, secure and manage funds and foster community and staff relationships. To earn this certificate, the official attends a variety of AWC sponsored municipal workshops. The courses help mayors and councilmembers learn the essentials of municipal service and improve their ability to work with council colleagues, city staff, and citizens.

Hutchinson was appointed to the Council in January 2012. His council role also encompasses service on several Boards and Commissions groups including the Cowlitz Transit Authority, Public Health Advisory Committee, S.W. Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization, and Sister City Commission.

AWC is a private, non-profit, non-partisan corporation that represents Washington’s cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. Membership is voluntary; however AWC maintains 100% participation from Washington’s 281 cities and towns. The goal of AWC is to create and maintain livable cities and towns throughout the state.